Over the weekend, I bought a few mylar balloons to decorate for my daughter’s birthday. I remember when mylar balloons first came on the scene. They were considered to be amazing and exotic and indulgent. They were considered a luxurious treat to have at a party. One of them probably cost around ten dollars. Now mylar balloons are Dollar Store staples and a given at any party.
It struck me that I have reached the age where I can recall when a lot of things were new and exciting additions to the market, that are now considered old fashioned and passe. These are things that the younger generations just take for granted. I remember when there was a Texas Instruments store in the mall, which was kind of like the Apple stores of today. My father treated me to a solar calculator. It was expensive and featured in the center of the store with a spotlight on it. They kept the solar calculator behind glass, like it was the Hope diamond. I am not exaggerating. Now solar calculators are also Dollar Store staples.
I remember my grandparents talking about remembering when they got their first telephones and their first televisions. They talked about an air conditioned car being considered a major luxury. I remember thinking, “Wow, they are really ancient people.” Now, kids today might think that about me, if they read this blog post. When walking on a seaside trail this weekend, my husband and I chuckled about how many babies in strollers we passed, all holding iPads. Some day, when these babies are my age, they’ll be talking about remembering playing with iPads in their cribs and strollers. And their kids and grandkids will laugh and scoff because iPads will probably be Dollar Store staples.